Lindos: The Jewel of Rhodes

Sun-kissed and steeped in ancient myth, Lindos is a magnet for every visitor to the island. Picturesque alleys, spectacular views, traditional scents and a cosmopolitan culture come together into a puzzle no one can resist — full of character and friendly souls. For many, it’s simply the most impressive sight on Rhodes.

A view that stops you in your tracks

Approach Lindos from the north, driving south, and you’ll feel the urge to stop the car and just take it in: the acropolis perched on its colossal rock, the white village houses tumbling below, and the crystal-blue water all around. White flat-roofed cottages climb a slope up from a golden, shallow, sandy beach, wrapping a light belt around the north side of the hilltop castle, above the calm waters of a broad, rocky harbour. The majestic fortress of the Acropolis sits enthroned at the top — and if you look closely behind its warlike walls, you can make out the pillars of a small temple once dedicated to the goddess Athena Lindia.

Five thousand years to explore

The streets of Lindos form a maze of continuous buildings, many with interior courtyards, their flat roofs and whitewashed walls built from local limestone or plastered field stone. Within these lanes lie 5,000 years of human history — a full day and evening may not be enough. The most important monuments sit within the Citadel, reached by a road that climbs to the Acropolis; the first ruins you meet are the medieval walls, raised by the Crusaders in the early 14th century atop earlier Byzantine and ancient defences, their towers following the natural contours of the high ground. For a swim, head to St. Paul’s Bay behind the Acropolis — where, tradition holds, the apostle Paul once set foot on Rhodian soil — and enjoy a fresh perspective on the castle and temple from the water.

Why people return year after year

What keeps drawing visitors back? Friendly locals, that puzzling network of cobblestone alleys, and the Acropolis you can climb on foot. Add an incredible spread of international restaurants, traditional tavernas, stylish pubs and lively clubs, plus a vibrant display of local handicrafts and boutiques, and you have a place that gives you a real sense of belonging. By day the sandy beaches and clear blue water tempt you in; by night, the floodlit acropolis lends the whole village a touch of class and romance, presiding over one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes on the island.

Good to know

Lindos is about 47 kilometres (roughly 55 minutes) from Rhodes city and 55 kilometres (around an hour) from Diagoras Airport. It’s well connected by bus and taxi, the road is well maintained, and there are three main parking areas just outside the village. Nightlife covers every preference — clubs, small bars, cafés and dining for every taste and budget — while the architecture itself is a highlight: imposing entrances open onto flower-filled courtyards floored with black-and-white pebble mosaics, their artful patterns in quiet harmony with the landscape.